Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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1007. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if a grant is available from his Department to assist with the removal of asbestos from residential properties and garages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41282/14]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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There is no funding available from my Department or local authorities for the removal of asbestosin residential properties and garages or in buildings in general. The prevention of exposure to the harmful effects of asbestosis the focus of occupational safety and health legislation concerning asbestosin the workplace. Specific Regulations regarding the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to asbestosfibres while at work have been in place since 1989. The current Regulations are the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Exposure to Asbestos) Regulations 2006, which are enforced by the Health and Safety Authority, which comes under the remit of the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.

Insofar as the management of asbestosas a waste is concerned, the Waste Management Acts 1996-2013 prohibit any person from holding, transporting, recovering or disposing of waste in a manner which causes or is likely to cause environmental pollution, defined in section 5 of the 1996 Act to include action which would to a significant extent endanger human health.

It is recommended that expert advice should be sought in dealing with asbestosmaterials and if removal is necessary it should only be done by a competent contractor with the required training.